Enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals and agricultural chemical composition

ABSTRACT

An enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals which can enhance the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical without causing any phytotoxicity to various crops, which comprises at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of tertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt and a chelating agent, wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01 to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(b) divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/053,084 filed on Apr. 1, 1998, which is a 37C.F.R. §1.53(b) continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/507,483filed on Aug. 28, 1995, which is the national phase of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP94/02263 filed on Dec. 27, 1994, which claimspriority on Japanese Application No. 5-337502 filed on Dec. 28, 1993.The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals, an agricultural chemical composition, a methodfor enhancing the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical, a use ofthe above-mentioned enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals forthe preparation of an agricultural chemical composition, a use of theabove-mentioned enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals forenhancing the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical and anagricultural chemical kit.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Agricultural chemicals including insecticides, fungicides (orbactericides), herbicides, miticides (or acaricides) and plant growthregulators have been used in the forms of, for example, emulsions,wettable powders, granules, powders and flowables. In the properties ofthese agricultural chemical preparations, various attempts have beenmade to achieve the maximum effectiveness of the agricultural chemicals.However, it has been difficult to enhance the effectiveness ofagricultural chemicals through adjustments in formulations. It isfurther difficult to develop novel agricultural chemicals. Therefore,further enhancement of existing agricultural chemicals would highlycontribute to the industry.

[0006] As substances capable of enhancing the effectiveness ofagricultural chemicals, surfactants comprising variousnitrogen-containing compounds such as quaternary ammonium salts,betaines and amine oxides have been known (see European PatentPublication-A No. 274369, published on Jul. 13, 1988). It is known thatquaternized or further polyoxyethylenated long-chain amines, among theabove-mentioned compounds, are effective for this purpose. However, theenhancement effect of the above described compounds capable of enhancingthe effectiveness of agricultural chemicals is not always satisfied.

[0007] Since an agricultural chemical is diluted with water prior touse, it contains a chelating agent for trapping metal ions, etc.,existing in the water. For example, European Patent Publication-A No.36106 (published on Sep. 23, 1981) has disclosed a herbicide compositioncomprising a phosphinothricin derivative, a specific quaternary ammoniumsalt and a chelating agent. However, particular examples of thequaternary ammonium salts disclosed in this patent include ammoniumsulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium acetate and the like, and do notinclude organic quaternary ammonium salts generally used as cationicsurfactants. Further, Japanese Patent Publication-A No. 55-98105(published on Jul. 25, 1980) has disclosed a herbicide compositioncomprising a bisphosphonic acid herbicide and a chelating agent.However, this patent does not suggest the combination use of an organicquaternary ammonium salt as a cationic surfactant and a chelating agent.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] From a standpoint that the efficacy of an agricultural chemicalcan be enhanced by using the agricultural chemical together with atleast one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the groupconsisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and a quaternaryammonium salt, the present inventors have conducted extensive studies.As a result, they have found that the efficacies of various agriculturalchemicals can be remarkably enhanced by adding a nitrogen-containingcompound together with a chelating agent thereto. The present inventionhas been completed on the basis of this finding.

[0009] Thus, the present invention provides an enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals comprising at least one nitrogen-containingcompound selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, atertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt and a chelatingagent, wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01 to 30mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound. The nitrogen-containingcompound is preferably a nitrogen-containing surfactant selected fromthe group consisting of an organic tertiary amine, an organic tertiaryamine salt and an organic quaternary ammonium salt.

[0010] Further, the present invention provides an agricultural chemicalcomposition comprising an agricultural chemical, at least onenitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of atertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt anda chelating agent, wherein the content of the chelating agent rangesfrom 0.01 to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound and theweight ratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing compound and thechelating agent to the agricultural chemical ranges from 0.05 to 50.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method forenhancing the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical which comprisesapplying the above-mentioned enhancer composition for agriculturalchemicals with an agricultural chemical to a locus which would bebenefit from such treatment, a use of the above-mentioned enhancercomposition for agricultural chemicals for the preparation of anagricultural chemical composition, and a use of the above-mentionedenhancer composition for agricultural chemicals for enhancing theeffectiveness of an agricultural chemical.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides an agriculturalchemical kit which comprises a container containing the above-mentionedenhancer composition for agricultural chemicals and a containercontaining an agricultural chemical composition, an agriculturalchemical kit which comprises a container containing the above-mentionedenhancer composition for agricultural chemicals, a container containinga surfactant other than the above nitrogen-containing compounds and acontainer containing an agricultural chemical composition, anagricultural chemical kit which comprises a container containing theabove-mentioned enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals, acontainer containing an adjuvant for penetration of agriculturalchemicals and a container containing an agricultural chemicalcomposition, and an agricultural chemical kit which comprises acontainer containing the above-mentioned enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals, a container containing a surfactant other thanthe above nitrogen-containing compounds, a container containing anadjuvant for penetration of agricultural chemicals and a containercontaining an agricultural chemical composition.

[0013] In this specification, the term “agricultural chemical” means onewhich is employed as an active or principle ingredient in commonagricultural chemical compositions or preparations, and examples thereofinclude a fungicide (or a bactericide), an insecticide, a miticide (oran acaricide), a herbicide, a plant growth regulator and the like.

[0014] Further the scope and the applicability of the present inventionwill become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.However, it should be understood that the detailed description andspecific examples which follow, while indicating preferred embodimentsof the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since variouschanges and modifications within the spirit and scope of the inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] [I] Nitrogen-Containing Compound (A)

[0016] Among compounds to be employed as a nitrogen-containing compoundin the present invention, examples of the organic tertiary amine includethose which will be described below.

[0017] (1) Amines represented by the following formula (1):

[0018] wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms; each A represents an alkylene group,preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; n and m eachrepresents such a number that the sum of n and m, i.e., the averageoxyalkylene number per molecule, is 1 to 40, generally an integer; andR² and R³ are the same or different from each other and each representsa hydrogen atom or an acyl group (for example, formyl group, acetylgroup, propionyl group or benzoyl group).

[0019] (2) Amines represented by the following formula (2):

[0020] wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4carbon atoms; R³ and R⁴ are the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; each R⁵represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each R⁶ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group; m and n are the same or different fromeach other and each represents a positive number of 1 to 5; and p and q,which generally each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a number of 0 to 30.

[0021] (3) Amines represented by the following formula (3):

[0022] wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomswhich may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup, preferably a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴ (wherein R⁴ representsa linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomswhich may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; G¹ represents a grouprepresented by the formula: —OCO— or a group represented by the formula:—NHCO—; and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6), a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0023] (wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 6 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.; m is apositive number of 1 to 5; and p, which generally represents an averagevalue, is a number of 0 to 30) or a group represented by the formula:

[0024] (wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 4 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; G²represents a group represented by the formula: —OCO— or a grouprepresented by the formula: —NHCO—; i represents a positive number of 2to 6; k represents a positive number of 1 to 5; and q, which generallyrepresents an average value, represents a number of 0 to 30; and R³represents a group represented by the formula:

[0025] (wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 4 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; G³represents a group represented by the formula: —OCO— or a grouprepresented by the formula: —NHCO—; s represents a positive number of 2to 6; t represents a positive number of 1 to 5; and h, which generallyrepresents an average value, represents a positive number of 0 to 30) ora group represented by the formula:

[0026] (wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 6-to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; jrepresents a positive number of 1 to 5; and r, which generallyrepresents an average value, represents a positive number of 0 to 30).

[0027] Examples of the tertiary amine salt to be used in the presentinvention include salts of the above-mentioned organic tertiary amines,for example, inorganic salts thereof such as hydrochlorides, sulfatesand nitrates thereof, and organic salts thereof such as carboxylates andsulfonates thereof.

[0028] Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt to be used in thepresent invention include those which will be described below.

[0029] (4) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (4):

[0030] wherein each A represents an alkylene group having 2,or 3 carbonatoms; R¹ and R² are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R³ representsan alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a group represented by theformula: (AO)_(j)—H; either i (when R³ is an alkyl group) or the sum ofi and j (when R³ is a group represented by the formula: (AO)_(j)—H),which represents the average oxyalkylene number per molecule, is anumber of 2 to 20; and X⁻ is an appropriate counter anion.

[0031] As particular examples of the quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by the above formula (4), those represented by the followingformula (4′) may be cited:

[0032] wherein EO represents an oxyethylene group; PO represents anoxypropylene group; R¹ and R² are either the same or different from eachother and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R³represents-an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a grouprepresented by the formula: EO—(PO)_(m)—H; either n (when R³ is an alkylgroup) or the sum of n and m (when R³ is a group represented by theformula: EO—(PO)_(m)—H), which represents the average oxypropylenenumber per molecule, is a number of 2 to 20; and X⁻ is an appropriatecounter anion.

[0033] (5) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (5):

[0034] wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are either the same or different fromone another and each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1to 4 carbon atoms or a hydroxyethyl group, or two among R¹, R², R³ andR⁴ form a 3- to 7-membered ring together with the nitrogen atom bondedthereto and —O—, —NH— or —NR— (wherein R represents an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms) may substitute for one —CH₂— groupconstituting said 3- to 7-membered ring; X⁻ represents an anion ofinorganic or organic, monobasic or polybasic acid; and n represents 1, 2or 3 depending on the valence of X⁻.

[0035] (6) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (6):

[0036] wherein R₁ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 20 to 40 carbon atoms, an alkyl(or alkenyl)arylpolyoxyalkylene,alkyl(or alkenyl)polyoxyethylene or alkyl(or alkenyl)-polyoxypropylenegroup having a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 20 to 40carbon atoms, or an acylaminoalkyl or acyloxy-alkyl group having alinear or branched acyl group having 20 to 40 carbon atoms; R₂ and R₃are either the same or different from each other and each represents agroup represented by the formula:

[0037] a benzyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or ahydroxy-alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; R₄ represents an alkylor alkenyl group having 12 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkylpolyoxyalkylene,alkyl-arylpolyoxyalkylene, alkylpolyoxyethylene or alkylpolyoxypropylenegroup having an alkyl group having 12 to 30 carbon atoms, or anacylamino-alkyl or acyloxyalkyl group having an acyl group having 12 to30 carbon atoms; and X⁻ represents a counter anion selected from thegroup consisting of a halide ion, a phosphate group having an alkylmoiety with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfate group having an alkyl moietywith 1 to 10 carbon atoms and a carboxyl group having an alkyl moietywith 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0038] (7) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (7):

[0039] wherein at least one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0040] or a group represented by the formula:

[0041] CH₂OH (wherein n is a number of 1 OH to 5); R₄ represents amethyl group or an ethyl group; and X⁻, which represents a counter ion,is an anionic oligomer or polymer having an average molecular weight of300 to 20,000 and having an acid type anionic residue, for example, anaphthalene sulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensate.

[0042] (8) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (8):

[0043] wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from eachother and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R⁹represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to4 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other and eachrepresents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to 36carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group; j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5; r and s, which generally each represents an average value, are eitherthe same or different from each other and each represents a number of 0to 30; and X⁻ is a counter ion.

[0044] (9) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (9):

[0045] wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkylgroup having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup, preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; R^(1′) represents analkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group; R^(2′) represents a linear or branched alkyl grouphaving 1 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl groupor a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36 carbon atoms whichmay be substituted by a hydroxyl group, preferably a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group, a group represented by the formula:—C_(n′)—H_(2n′)—(G^(1′))-R^(4′) (wherein R^(4′) represents a linear orbranched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group; G^(1′) represents a group representedby the formula: —OCO— or a group represented by the formula: —NHCO—; andn′ is a positive number of 2 to 6), a group represented by the formula:

[0046] (wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 6 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R^(6′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; m′ is apositive number of 1 to 5; and p′, which generally represents an averagevalue, is a number of 0 to 30) or a group represented by the formula:

[0047] OR^(7′) (wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl oralkenyl group having 4 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group; each R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methylgroup; G^(2′) represents a group represented by the formula: —OCO— or agroup represented by the formula —NHCO—; i′ is a positive number of 2 to6; k′ is a positive number of 1 to 5; and q′, which generally representsan average value, is a number of 0 to 30); R^(3′) represents a grouprepresented by the formmula:

[0048] (wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 4 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; G^(3′)represents a group represented by the formula: —OCO— or a grouprepresented by the formula: —NHCO—; s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6;t′ is a positive number of 1 to 5; and h′, which generally represents anaverage value, is a number of 0 to 30), or a group represented by theformula:

[0049] (wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 6 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; j′ isa positive number of 1 to 5; and r′, which generally represents anaverage value, is a number of 0 to 30); and X⁻ is a counter ion.

[0050] (10) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (10):

[0051] wherein R¹⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or analkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to4 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; R¹⁹represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group; R²⁰ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group; R²¹ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group; d is a positive number of 1 to 5; andX⁻ is a counter ion.

[0052] (11) Quaternary ammonium salt represented by the followingformula (11):

[0053] wherein R¹ and R² are either the same or different from eachother and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, agroup represented by the formula:

[0054] (wherein each R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group;and ml, which generally represents an average value, is a number of 1 to30) or a group represented by the formula:

[0055] (wherein R¹³ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenylgroup having 5 to 36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup; each R¹⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and m2;which generally represents an average value, is a number of 1 to 30); R³represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to4 carbon atoms, preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to4 carbon atoms; R⁴ represents a group represented by the formula:

[0056] (wherein each R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R⁹represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; and q1, whichgenerally represents an average value, is a number of 0 to 30), a grouprepresented by the formula: —NHCOR¹⁰ (wherein R¹⁰ represents a linear orbranched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atoms which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group) or a group represented by the formula:

[0057] (wherein each R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group;R¹² represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to36 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; and q2,which generally represents an average value, is a number of 0 to 30);each R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R⁶ represents alinear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 35 carbon atomswhich may be substituted by a hydroxyl group; n, which generallyrepresents an average value, is a number of 0 to 30; and X⁻ is a counterion.

[0058] Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the above formula (11)includes, for example, those having an oxyalkylene group(s) and thoserepresented by the following formula (11′):

[0059] wherein R^(1′) to R^(3′) are either the same or different fromone another and each represents an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 1to 4 carbon atoms; R^(4′) represents a group represented by the formula:—OCOR (wherein R represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 14 to 22carbon atoms); R^(6′) represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 14 to22 carbon atoms; and X^(′−) is a counter anion derived from a strongacid.

[0060] (12) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (12):

[0061] wherein R₁ and R₂ are either the same or different from eachother and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or agroup represented by the formula:

[0062] (wherein R₅ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to 22carbon atoms; and R₆ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 2 to 20carbon atoms), provided that at least one of R₁ and R₂ represents agroup represented by the formula:

[0063] (wherein R₅ and R₆ each has the same meaning as the one definedabove); R₃ and R₄ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X⁻ is acounter anion.

[0064] (13) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (13):

[0065] wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents an alkyl oralkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s) eachrepresents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0066] a group represented by the formula: —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H (wherein n,which generally represents an average value, is a number of 1 to 15,preferably an integer of 1 to 15) or a group represented by the formula:

[0067] R₄ represents a methyl group, an ethyl group or a grouprepresented by the formula: —CH₂CH₂OH; and X⁻, which represents acounter anion, represents a phosphate group, a phosphonate group, asulfonate group having a hydrocarbon moiety with at least 7 carbonatoms, a sulfate group having a hydrocarbon moiety with at least 7carbon atoms or an anionic oligomer or copolymer having a degree ofpolymerization of at least 3 and having an anionic residue.

[0068] (14) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the formula (14):

[0069] wherein at least one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ represents a linear orbranched alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while theother(s) each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group,a group represented by the formula:

[0070] a group represented by the formula: -(AO)_(X)—H (wherein each Arepresents an alkylene group, preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 4carbon atoms; and x, which generally represents an average value,represents a number of 1 to 60, preferably an integer of 1 to 60) or agroup represented by the formula:

[0071] represents a methyl group, an ethyl group or a group representedby the formula: —CH₂CH₂OH; and X⁻, which represents a counter-anion,represents a halide ion, a phosphate group, a phosphonate group, asulfonate group having a hydrocarbon moiety with at least 7 carbonatoms, a sulfate group having a hydrocarbon moiety with at least 7carbon atoms or an anionic oligomer or copolymer having a degree ofpolymerization of at least 3 and having an anionic residue.

[0072] (15) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (15):

[0073] wherein R₁ and R₂ are either the same or different from eachother and each represents a linear or branched alkyl or hydroxyalkylgroup having 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a linear or branched alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 30 carbon atoms; A₁O and A₂O each represents an oxyalkylenegroup having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; n and m each represents 0 or apositive number, preferably 0 or a positive integer, provided that thesum of n and m, which generally represents an average value, is a numberof 1 to 100; and X⁻ represents a counter ion.

[0074] (16) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (16):

[0075] wherein A represents a hydrogen atom, a group represented by theformula: —CH₂CH₂—CN, a group represented by the formula: —CH₂CH₂COOH, agroup represented by the formula:

[0076] a group represented by the formula:

[0077] (wherein n is a number of 2 to 9; p, which generally representsan average value, is a number of 0 to 30; each R represents a hydrogenatom or a methyl group; and R²represents an alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 30 carbon atoms), a group represented by the formula:

[0078] (wherein m is a number of 2 to 9; and R² has the same meaning asthe one defined above) or a group represented by the formula:

[0079] (wherein r is a number of 2 to 6; and m, p, R and R² each has thesame meaning as the one defined above); B, C and D are either the sameor different from one another and each represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, a group represented by the formula:

[0080] (wherein R³ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to 30carbon atoms; i is a number of-2 to 6; and j, which generally representsan average value, is a number of 1 to 10), a group represented by theformula: —CH₂COOH, a group represented by the formula:—(C_(i)H_(2i)O)_(j)—H (wherein i and j each has the same meaning as theone defined above), a group represented by the formula: —CH₂COO⁻, agroup represented by the formula: —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃ ⁻ or a benzyl group,provided that when one of B, C and D is a group represented by theformula: —CH₂COO⁻ or a group represented by the formula:—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃ ⁻, then the others are each a groups other than a grouprepresented by the formula: —CH₂COO⁻ and a group represented by theformula: —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃ ⁻; R¹ represents an alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 30 carbon atoms; and X⁻ is a counter ion, provided that whenone of B, C and D is a group represented by the formula: —CH₂COO⁻ or agroup represented by the formula: —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃ ⁻, then X⁻ is absenttherefrom.

[0081] (17) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (17):

[0082] wherein Y and Z are either the same or different from each otherand each represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 30 carbonatoms, a group represented by the formula:

[0083] (wherein each R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R⁶represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 29 carbon atoms; n is anumber of 2 to 9; and p, which generally represents an average value, isa number of 0 to 30), a group represented by the formula —C₃H₆NHCOR⁶(wherein R⁶ has the same meaning as the one defined above), a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0084] (wherein m is a number of 2 to 9; and n, p, R⁵ and R⁶ each hasthe same meaning as the one defined above), a group represented by theformula: —C₃H₆OR⁶ (wherein R⁶ has the same meaning as the one definedabove) or a group represented by the formula: —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OR⁶ (whereinR⁶ has the same meaning as the one defined above), provided that Y and Zdo not represent alkyl or alkenyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms atthe same time; R⁴ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsor a group represented by the formula:

[0085] (wherein q, which generally represents an average value, is anumber of 1 to 30; and R⁵ has the same meaning as the one definedabove); and X⁻ is a counter ion.

[0086] (18) Quaternary ammonium salts represented by the followingformula (18):

[0087] wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from eachother and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, analkenyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms or a group represented by theformula:

[0088] (wherein each R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group;and q, which generally represents an average value, is a number of 1 to30); R⁹ represents an alkyl group having 6 to 36 carbon atoms, a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0089] (wherein R¹¹ represents an alkyl group having 5 to 35 carbonatoms; m is a number of 2 to 9; p, which generally represents an averagevalue, is a number of 0 to 30; and R¹⁰ has the same meaning as the onedefined above), a group represented by the formula: —C_(m)H_(2m)NHCOR¹¹(wherein m and R¹¹ each has the same meaning as the one defined above)or a group represented by the formula:

[0090] (wherein r is a number of 2 to 6; and m, p, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each hasthe same meaning as the one defined above); W represents a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0091] (wherein p, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each has the same meaning as the onedefined above), a group represented by the formula: —NHCOR¹¹ (whereinR¹¹ has the same meaning as the one defined above) or a grouprepresented by the formula:

[0092] (wherein p, r, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each has the same meaning as the onedefined above); n is a number of 2 to 9; and X⁻ is a counter ion.

[0093] Unless otherwise noted with respect to the counter ions (such asX⁻) in the above quaternary ammonium salts, they are not particularlyrestricted. Examples thereof include halide ions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻ andI⁻, alkyl sulfate (RSO₄ ⁻) groups, alkylbenzene-sulfonate (R-benzene-SO₃⁻) groups, alkylnaphthalene-sulfonate (R-naphthalene-SO₃ ⁻) groups,fatty acid residues (RCOO⁻), alkyl phosphate (ROPO₃H⁻, wherein Rrepresents an alkyl group) groups, anionic oligomers and anionicpolymers.

[0094] The above compounds can be also classified in the followingmanner:

[0095] (I) compounds represented by the formulae (1), (4), (5), (6),(7), (12), (13), (14) and (15);

[0096] (II) compounds represented by the formulae (2), (3), (8), (9) and(10), and compounds represented by the formula (11) excepting thoserepresented by the formula (11′);

[0097] (III) compounds represented by the formula (11′) and

[0098] (IV) compounds represented by the formulae (16), (17) and (18).

[0099] In the present invention, compounds represented by the formulae(6), (7), (12), (13), (14) and (15) are preferably used, compoundsrepresented by the formulae (16), (17) and (18) are still morepreferably used, and compounds represented by the formulae (2), (3),(8), (9), (10) and (11) are most preferably used.

[0100] It is needless to say that any desired tertiary amines, tertiaryamine salts and quaternary ammonium salts other than those cited abovecan be used in the present invention.

[0101] [II] Chelating Agent (B)

[0102] The chelating agent to be used in the present invention is notparticularly restricted, so long as it is capable of chelating a metalion. Examples of the chelating agent usable in the present inventioninclude amino polycarboxylic acid chelating agents, aromatic oraliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, amino acid chelating agents,ether polycarboxylic acid chelating agents, phosphonic acid chelatingagents such as iminodimethylphosphonic acid (IDP) and alkyldiphosphonicacid (ADPA), hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents, electrolytechelating agents of polymer (including oligomer) type, anddimethylglyoxime (DG). These chelating agents may be in the form ofeither an acid or a salt such as sodium salt, potassium salt andammonium salt. Alternatively, these chelating agents may be in the formof an ester derivative thereof which can be hydrolyzed.

[0103] Examples of the aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agents include

[0104] a) compounds represented by the chemical formula of RNX₂,

[0105] b) compounds represented by the chemical formula of NX₃,

[0106] c) compounds represented by the chemical formula ofR—NX—CH₂CH₂—NX—R,

[0107] d) compounds represented by the chemical formula ofR—NX—CH₂CH₂—NX₂,

[0108] e) compounds represented by the chemical formula of X₂N—R′—NX₂and

[0109] f) compounds similar to compounds of e) and containing four ormore Xs, for example, a compound represented by the formula:

[0110] In the above formulae, X represents a group represented by theformula: —CH₂COOH or a group represented by the formula: —CH₂CH₂COOH, Rrepresents a group to be contained in these type, known chelating agentssuch as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxyl group and ahydroxyalkyl group, and R′ represents a group to be contained in thesetype, known chelating agents such as an alkylene group and acycloalkylene group.

[0111] Representative examples of the aminopoly-carboxylic acidchelating agents include ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),cyclohexanediamine-tetraacetic acid (CDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA),iminodiacetic acid (IDA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)imino-diacetic acid (HIMDA),diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA),N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-triacetic acid (EDTA-OH) andglycoletherdiamine-tetraacetic acid (GEDTA), and salts thereof.

[0112] Examples of the aromatic or aliphatic carboxylic acid chelatingagents to be used in the present invention include oxalic acid, succinicacid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid and anthranilic acid, and salts,methyl esters and ethyl esters thereof. Further, examples of the aminoacid chelating agents to be used in the present invention includeglycine, serine, alanine, lysine, cystine, cysteine, ethionine, tyrosineand methionine, and salts and derivatives thereof.

[0113] Furthermore, examples of the ether polycarboxylic acid chelatingagents to be used in the present invention include compounds representedby the following formula, compounds similar to the compounds representedby the following formula and salts (e.g., sodium salt) thereof:

[0114] wherein Y¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a group represented by theformula: —CH₂COOH or a group represented by the formula: —COOH, and Z¹represents a hydrogen atom, a group represented by the formula: —CH₂COOHor a group represented by the formula:

[0115] Examples of the hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents to beused in the present invention include malic acid, citric acid, glycolicacid, gluconic acid, heptonic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and saltsthereof.

[0116] Examples of the electrolyte chelating agents of polymer(including oligomer) type to be used in the present invention includeacrylic acid polymers, maleic anhydride polymers, α-hydroxyacrylic acidpolymers, itaconic acid polymers, copolymers comprising at least two ofthe constituting monomers of these polymers and epoxysuccinic acidpolymers.

[0117] In addition, chelating agents to be used in the present invenitonfurther include ascorbic acid and thioglycollic acid, and salts thereof.

[0118] Among the above-mentioned chelating agents, preferable onesinclude aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, aromatic carboxylicacid chelating agents, hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents, aminoacid chelating agents, ether polycarboxylic acid chelating agents,phosphonic acid chelating agents, electrolyte chelating agents ofpolymer (including oligomer) type, dimethylglyoxime (DG), ascorbic acidand thioglycollic acid, and salts of ascorbic acid and thioglycollicacid. Among them, aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, aromaticcarboxylic acid chelating agents, hydroxy carboxylic acid chelatingagents, amino acid chelating agents and ether polycarboxylic acidchelating agents are still more preferable.

[0119] In the present invention, such a chelating agent is used in anamount of from 0.01 to 30 mol, preferably from 0.05 to 20 mol and stillmore preferably from 0.1 to 15 mol, per mol of the above-mentionednitrogen-containing compound (the total content by mol, when two or morenitrogen-containing compounds are used).

[0120] It has been a practice to add a small amount of a chelating agentto a surfactant by which the efficacy of an agricultural chemical can beenhanced [see Japanese Patent Publication-A Nos. 2-295907 (published onDec. 6, 1990) and 4-502618 (published on May 14, 1992), and EuropeanPatent Publication-A No. 36106]. In these cases, however, the additionof the chelating agent aims mainly at trapping substances which arecontained in the water for diluting the agricultural chemical andinhibit the activity of the agricultural chemical, namely, trace metalions (e.g., Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺) to thereby;soften hard water. Therefore,chelating agents are used in the prior art only in a small amount. Incontrast, a chelating agent is used in a large amount in the presentinvention compared with the conventional cases. The present inventorshave found for the first time that the efficacy of an agriculturalchemical can be remarkably enhanced by using a chelating agent in alarger amount than the conventional dose together with theabove-mentioned nitrogen-containing compound.

[0121] [III] Enhancer Composition for Agricultural Chemicals

[0122] The enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals of thepresent invention comprises the above-mentioned nitrogen-containingcompound (A) and the chelating agent (B). When used in combination withan agricultural chemical, this enhancer composition for agriculturalchemicals can enhance the efficacy of the agricultural chemical twice tothrice without causing any phytotoxicity. Namely, the enhancer foragricultural chemicals of the present invention can be safely applied tovarious crops without causing any phytotoxicity.

[0123] Although the mechanism of action of the enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals of the present invention has not been necessarilyclarified, it is considered as follows. The nitrogen-containingcompounds employed in the present invention are those positively chargedin water. Therefore, it specifically adheres to cell membranes ofplants, microorganisms and insects, invades the membranes and thenabnormally elevates the flowability of the cell membranes, thus causinga disturbance in the membrane functions. As a result, the amount of theagricultural chemical incorporated into the cells is increased and thusthe efficacy of the agricultural chemical is enhanced. It is estimatedthat the chelating agent undergoes some interaction with thenitrogen-containing compound to thereby enhance the efficacy of theagricultural chemical. Accordingly, it seems that the effect of thechelating agent in the present invention essentially differs from theeffect, which has hitherto been lectured, of a chelating agent oftrapping trace metal ions in water and thus enhancing the efficacy of anagricultural chemical. It has been observed in practice that the effectof a nitrogen-containing compound according to the present invention inenhancing the efficacy of an agricultural chemical is strengthened byadding a chelating agent both in distilled water and in hard water.

[0124] In the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals of thepresent invention, the dose of the above-mentioned nitrogen-containingcompound (A) can be reduced while maintaining the enhancing effectthereof on an agricultural chemical by further using a surfactant (C)other than the nitrogen-containing compounds (A) and/or an adjuvant forpenetration of agricultural chemicals (D) therewith.

[0125] Examples of the surfactant (C) other than the nitrogen-containingcompounds include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants andamphoteric surfactants. These surfactants may be used either alone or asa mixture of two or more of them.

[0126] Examples of the nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylenealkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl-aryl ethers, polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether/formaldehyde condensates, polyoxyalkylene aryl ethers,polyoxyalkylene alkyl esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylsorbitol esters,polyoxyalkylene sorbitan esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylglycerol esters,polyoxyalkylene block copolymers, polyoxyalkylene blockcopolymer/alkylglycerol esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylsulfon-amides,polyoxyalkylene rosin esters, polyoxypropylene block copolymers,polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alrylphenols,alkylglycosides, alkylpolyglycosides, polyoxyalkylenealkyl-polyglycosides, and mixtures comprising two or more of thesesurfactants.

[0127] Among anionic surfactants, typical ones are available in the formof an aqueous solution or a solid. Examples thereof include sodium mono-and di-alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, sodium α-olefinsulfonate, sodiumalkanesulfonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylsulfates, polyoxyalkylenealkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl aryl ether sulfates,polyoxy-alkylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, mono- anddialkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates,alkylnaphthalenesulfonate/formaldehyde condensates, alkyl diphenyl ethersulfonates, olefinic sulfonates, mono- and dialkylphosphates,polyoxyalkylene mono- and dialkylphosphates, polyoxyalkylene mono- anddiphenyl ether phosphates, polyoxyalkylene mono- and dialkyl phenylether phosphates, polycarboxylic acid salts, linear and branched alkylpolyoxyalkylene ether acetic acids and salts thereof, linear andbranched alkenyl polyoxyalkylene ether acetic acids and salts thereof,fatty acids and salts thereof, e.g., stearic acid and its salts, oleicacid and its salts, caprylic acid and its salts, capric acid and itssalts and lauric acid and its salts, N-methyl fatty acid taurides andmixtures comprising two or more of these surfactants (including sodium,potassium, ammonium and amine salts).

[0128] Examples of suitable ampholytic surfactants includelauryldimethylamine oxide, Armox C/12, amine oxides, Monaterics,Miranols, betaines, Lonzaines, other amine oxides and mixtures thereof.

[0129] Among these surfactants, nonionic surfactants, anionicsurfactants and mixtures of a nonionic surfactant and an anionicsurfactants are preferable, and mixtures of a nonionic surfactant and ananionic surfactants are still more preferable. Among these mixtures,those in which the weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to theanionic surfactant ranges from 1/50 to 50/1 are desired, and those inwhich the weight ratio ranges from 1/30 to 15/1 are particularlydesired.

[0130] Among nonionic surfactants, those of the ester type, such aspolyoxyalkylene sorbitan esters and polyoxyalkylene alkyl glycerolesters, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyalkylene alkylphenylethers are preferred, and those of the ester type are particularlypreferred from the point of view of environmental conservation, sincethey are excellent in biodegradability. Among anionic surfactants,polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzene-sulfonates, andlinear and branched alkyl polyoxyalkylene ether acetic acids and saltsthereof are preferred and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates andlinear and branched alkyl polyoxyalkylene ether acetic acids and saltsthereof are particularly preferred.

[0131] In the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals comprisinga nitrogen-containing compound (A), a chelating agent (B) and asurfactant (C) other than the nitrogen-containing compounds according tothe-present invention, the weight ratio of the nitrogen-containingcompound (A) to the surfactant (C) other than the nitrogen-containingcompounds preferably ranges from 1/10 to 50/1, still more preferablyfrom 1/1 to 10/1.

[0132] The adjuvant for penetration of agricultural chemicals (D) isused for the efficient penetration of an agricultural chemical intoinsects, plants, fungi, etc. Examples thereof include those describedbelow.

[0133] 1) Water including deionized water, aqueous solutions of organicor inorganic acids and aqueous solutions of alkalis.

[0134] 2) Monohydric alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol,isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, 3-pentanol,n-hexanol, n-heptanol, 2-heptanol, n-octanol, 2-ethylhexanol, n-decanol,undecanol, n-dodecanol, tetradecanol, heptadecanol, cyclohexanol andbenzyl alcohol.

[0135] 3) Polyhydric alcohols and alcohol ethers such as ethyleneglycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoimethylacetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether,ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol isopropylether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether,ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol isoamyl ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl etheracetate, ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether,dimethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monoacetate, ethylene glycoldiacetate, diethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, diethylene glycolmonomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycolmonobutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycolmethyl ethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycoldibutyl ether, triethylene glycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether,propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycolmonoethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycolmonomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, butanediol,2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, glycerol, glyceryl monoacetate, glycerylmonobutyrate, trimethylol-propane, liquid (at ordinary temperatures)polyethylene glycol, liquid (at ordinary temperatures) polypropyleneglycol and polyvinyl alcohol. Among them, preferable ones arepolyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers and polyalkylene glycol dialkylethers, and still more preferable ones are diethylene glycolmonoalkyl(C₁₋₆) ethers, diethylene glycol dialkyl(C₁₋₆) ethers,triethylene glycol monoalkyl(C₁₋₆) ethers and triethylene glycoldialkyl(C₁₋₆) ethers.

[0136] 4) Halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichlorofluoromethaneand dichlorodifluoromethane.

[0137] 5) Ethers such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dibutylether, dihexyl ether, diisoamyl ether, methyl phenyl ether, ethyl phenylether, amyl phenyl ether, ethyl benzyl ether, 1,4-dioxane,tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran and polyoxyalkylene phenyl ethers.Among them, preferable ones are polyoxyalkylene phenyl ethers, and stillmore preferable ones are polyoxyethylene phenyl ethers wherein thenumber of oxyethylene groups per molecule is from 1 to 10.

[0138] 6) Ketones such as acetone, methylacetone, methyl ethyl ketone,methyl n-butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl n-hexyl ketone,diethyl ketone, acetone oil, acetonylacetone, phorone, isophorone,cyclo-hexanone, methylcyclohexanone and pyrrolidone.

[0139] 7) Esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate,n-amyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, methylisoamyl acetate, methylpropionate, isoamyl propionate, n-butyl butyrate, butyl stearate, amylstearate, 2-ethylhexyl oleate, lauryl oleate, oleyl oleate, methyllactate, ethyl lactate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamylbenzoate, benzyl abietate, diethyl oxalate, dibutyl oxalate, dimethylmalonate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate,di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and alkyl trimellitates (e.g., 2-ethylhexyltrimellitate). Among them, preferable ones are-alkyl oleates, alkenyloleates, alkyl phthalates and alkyl trimellitates, and still morepreferable ones are alkyl(C₁₋₁₂) oleates and alkenyl(C₂₋₁₂) oleates.

[0140] 8) Nitrogen-containing compounds such as formamide,N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile and morpholine.

[0141] 9) Hydrocarbon compounds such as n-pentane, n-hexane, isohexane,n-heptane, n-octane, n-decane, petroleum ether, petroleum benzine,petroleum fractions (e.g., paraffins, kerosine and gas oil),cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, cumene,methylnaphthalene and dimethyl sulfoxide.

[0142] 10) Vegetable oils such as soybean oil and cottonseed oil.

[0143] Among these adjuvant for penetrations, polyalkylene glycolmonoalkyl ethers and polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers are mostpreferable.

[0144] In the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals comprisinga nitrogen-containing compound (A), a chelating agent (B) and anadjuvant for penetration (D) according to the present invention, theweight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound (A) to the adjuvant forpenetration (D) preferably ranges from 1/5 to 5/1, still more preferablyfrom 1/2 to 2/1. When the ratio exceeds 5/1, the enhancing effect of theadjuvant for penetration (D) is unsatisfactory. In contrast, when theratio is lower than 1/5, the enhancing effect of the adjuvant forpenetration (D) is no longer improved and, unfavorably, the combinationuse of the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals comprising anitrogen-containing compound (A), a chelating agent (B) and an adjuvantfor penetration (D) according to the present invention with aninsecticide or a miticide may cause a serious phytotoxicity to plants.

[0145] [IV] Agricultural Chemical Composition

[0146] The agricultural chemical composition of the present inventioncomprises the above-mentioned enhancer composition for agriculturalchemicals of the present invention and an agricultural chemical. In thisspecification, the term “agricultural chemical” means one which isemployed as an active or principle ingredient in common agriculturalchemical compositions or preparations. The enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals of the present invention, which is employed forpreparing the agricultural chemical composition of the presentinvention, may further comprises a surfactant (C) other than thenitrogen-containing compounds (A) and/or an adjuvant for penetration (D)as described above.

[0147] In the agricultural chemical composition of the presentinvention, the weight ratio of the sum total of the nitrogen-containingcompound (A) and the chelating agent (B) to the agricultural chemical(s)is from 0.05 to 50, preferably from 0.05 to 20 and still more preferablyfrom 0.1 to 10. When this ratio is below 0.05, any desired effect ofenhancing the effectiveness of the agricultural chemical(s) can not befully achieved. When this ratio exceeds 50, on the other hand, theenhancing effect is no longer improved.

[0148] Next, examples of the agricultural chemicals to be used in theagricultural chemical composition of the present invention will becited, though the agricultural chemicals to be used in the presentinvention is not restricted thereto.

[0149] In the case of fungicides (or bactericides), included areZineb[zinc ethylenebis(dithio-carbamate)], Maneb[manganeseethylenebis(dithio-carbamate)],Thiram[bis(dimethylthiocarbamoyl)disulfide], Mancozeb[complex of zincand manganese ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate)], Polycarbamate[dizincbis(dimethyldithiocarbamate)ethylenebis(dithio-carbamate)],Propineb[polymeric zinc propylenebis-(dithiocarbamate)], benzimidazolefungicides such as Benomyl[methyl1-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzimidazole-carbamate] andThiophanate-methyl[1,2-bis(3-methoxy-carbonyl-2-thioureido)benzene);Vinclozolin[3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-5-vinyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dione],Iprodione[3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-2,4-dioxoimidazolidine-1-carboxamide],Procymidone[N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane-1,2-dicarboximide],Anilazine(Triazine)[2,4-dichloro-6-(2-chloroanilino)-1,3,5-triazine],Triflumizole[(E)-4-chloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-N-(1-imidazol-1-yl-2-propoxyethylidene)toluidine],Metalaxyl[methyl N-(2-methoxyacetyl)-N-(2,6-xylyl)-DL-alaninate],Bitertanol[all-rac-1-(biphenyl-4-yl-oxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butan-2-ol),Pyrifenox[2′,4′-dichloro-2-(3-pyridyl)aceto-phenone (EZ)-0-methyloxime],Fenarimol[2,4′-dichloro-α-(pyridin-5-yl)benzhydryl alcohol),Triforine[1,4-bis-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-formamidoethyl)piperazinel,Iminoctadine acetate[1,1′-iminiodi(octamethylene)-diguanidiniumtriacetate], organocopper compound (Oxine-copper[copper8-quinolinolate]), antibiotic bactericides (streptomycin type,tetracycline type, polyoxins type, blasticidin S, kasugamycin type,validamycin type),Triadimefon[1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanone],Isoprothiolane[diisopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene-malonate],Chlorothalonil (Daconil)[tetrachloro-isophthalonitrile), Etridiazol(Pansoil)[5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole],Fthalide[4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide], Iprobenfos (KitazinP)[0,0-diisopropyl-S-benzyl thiophosphate), Edifenphos (Hinosan)[0-ethylS,S-diphenyl dithiophosphate)],Probenazole[3-allyloxy-1,2-benzisothiazole-1,1-dioxide),Captan[N-trichloromethylthiotetrahydro-phthalimide] and Fosetyl[aluminumtris(ethyl-phosphonate)].

[0150] In the case of insecticides, included are pyrethroid insecticidessuch asFenvalerate[α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoate]and Cyfluthrin (Baythroid)[α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenylmethyl3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclcopropanecarboxylate];organophosphorus insecticides such as Dichlorvos (DDVP)[dimethyl2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate], Fenitrothion(MEP)[0,0-dimethyl-0-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl)thio-phosphate], Malathion(Malathon)[S-[1,2-bis(ethoxy-carbonyl)ethyl]dimethylphosphorothiol-thionate], Dimethoate[dimethylS-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl)-dithiophosphate], Phenthoate(Elsan)[S-[α-(ethoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]dimethyl phosphorothiol-thionate]and Fenthion(Baycid)[0,0-dimethyl-0-[3-methyl-4-(methyl-thio)phenyl]thiophosphate];carbamate insecticides such as Fenobucarb (Bassa)[0-sec-butylphenylmethyl-carbamate], Metolcarb (MTMC)[m-tolyl methyl-carbamate], Xylylcarb(Meobal)[3,4-dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate] and Carbaryl(NAC)[1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate]; Methomyl[S-methylN-(methyl-carbamoyloxy)thioacetimidate] andCartap[1,3-bis(carbamoylthio)-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)propanehydrochloride).

[0151] Further, in the case of natural insecticides, included arepyrethrin preparations, which originate from Chrysanthemumcinerariaefolium, rotenone preparations, which originate from Derriswhich is a shrub of the pulse family, and nicotine preparations[containing 3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine sulfate]. In the case ofinsect growth regulators (IGR), included arediflubenzuron[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea],teflubenzuron[1-(3,5-dichloro-2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea],chlorofluazuron[1-[3,5-dichloro-4-(3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyloxy)phenyl]-3-(2,6-difluoro-benzoyl)urea],buprofezin[2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazin-4-one]and fenoxycarb[ethyl 2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethylcarbamate].

[0152] In the case of miticides (or acaricides), included arePyridaben[2-tert-butyl-5-(4-tert-butyl-benzylthio)-4-chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one],Acricid[2,4-dinitro-6-sec-butylphenyldimethylacrylate],Chloromite[isopropyl 4,4-dichlorobenzylate], Chlorobenzilate(Akar)[ethyl 4,4′-dichlorobenzilate], Dicofol(Kelthane)[1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanol], Benzoximate(Citrazon)[ethyl-0-benzoyl-3-chloro-2,6-dimethoxybenzohydroximate],Propargite (Omite)[2-(p-tert-butylphenoxy)cyclohexyl 2-propynylsulfite], Fenbutatin Oxide(Osadan)[hexakis(β,β-dimethylphenylethyl)distannoxanel,Hexythiazox[trans-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazolidine-3-carboxamide]and Amitraz[3-methyl-1,5-bis(2,4-xylyl)-1,3,5-triazapenta-1,4-diene].

[0153] In the case of herbicides, included are acid amide hebicides suchas Propanil (DCPA)[3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide] andAlachlor[2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxyethyl)acetanilide]; ureaherbicides such as Diuron(DCMU)[3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] andLinuron[3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea); dipyridylherbicides such as Paraquat Dichloride(Paraquat)[1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridirium dichloride] and DiquatDibromide (Diquat)[6,7-dihydrodipyrido[1,2-a:2′,1′-c]-pyrazindiiumdibromide]; diazine herbicides such asBromacil[5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil); S-triazine herbicides suchas Simazine[2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethyl-amino)-1,3,5-triazine] andSimetryn[2,4-bis(ethyl-amino)-6-methylthio-1,3,5-triazine]; nitrileherbicides such as Dichlobeni (DBN)[2,6-dichloro-benzonitrile];dinitroaniline herbicides such asTrifluralin[α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine];carbamate herbicides such as Benthiocarb[S-p-chlorobenzyldiethylthiocarbamate] and MCC[methyl 3,4-dichlorocarbanilate];diphenylether herbicides such as Nitrofen(NIP)[2,4-dichlorophenyl-p-nitrophenylether]; phenol herbicides such asPCP[pentachlorophenol]; benzoic acid herbicides such as Dicamba(MDBA)[3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid dimethylamine salt]; phenoxyherbicides such as 2,4-D[2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and salts(sodium, amine and ethylether) thereof], and Mapica(MCPCA)[2′-chloro-2-(4-chloro-o-tolyloxy)acetanilide]; organicphosphorus herbicides such as Glyphosate[N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] andsalts thereof, Bialaphos[sodium salt ofL-2-amino-4-[(hydroxy)(methyl)-phosphinoyl]butyryl-L-alanyl-L-alanine)and Glufosinate[ammonium DL-homoalanin-4-yl (methyl)-phosphinate], andaliphatic herbicides such as TCA[trichloroacetic acid and saltsthereof].

[0154] In the case of plant growth regulators, included are MH (maleichydrazide), Ethephon[2-chloroethyl-phosphonic acid], UASTA andBialaphos.

[0155] In the present invention, it is preferable to use a fungicide, aninsecticide, a miticide or a plant growth regulator as the agriculturalchemical. When a herbicide is used as the agricultural chemical, it ispreferable to use one other than organophosphorus herbicides.

[0156] The agricultural chemical composition of the present inventionmay be formulated into any preparation such as liquid preparations,emulsions, wettable powders, granules, powders and flowables without anylimitation. Accordingly, the agricultural chemical composition of thepresent invention may contain other additives which are selecteddepending on the formulation or preparation, for example, emulsifiers,dispersing agents and carriers.

[0157] The agricultural chemical composition according to the presentinvention may further contain a pH regulator, an inorganic salt or athickener, if required.

[0158] Examples of the pH regulators to be used in the present inventioninclude citric acid, phosphoric acid (e.g., pyrophosphoric acid) andgluconic acid, and salts thereof.

[0159] Examples of the inorganic acid salts to be used in the presentinvention include inorganic mineral salts such as clay, talc, bentonite,zeolite, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth and white carbon, andinorganic ammonium salts such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate,ammonium phosphate, ammonium thiocyanate, ammonium chloride and ammoniumsulfamate.

[0160] In addition, examples of thickeners to be used in the presentinvention include natural, semisynthetic and synthetic, water-solublethickeners. As natural mucilaginous matters, xanthane gum and zanflow,which are derived from microorganism, and pectine, gum arabic and guargum, which are derived from plant, are cited. As semisyntheticmucilaginous matters, methylated, carboxyalkylated and hydroxyalkylatedproducts of cellulose such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcelluloseand hydroxymethylcellulose, methylated, carboxyalkylated andhydroxyalkylated products of starch derivatives, and sorbitol are cited.Furthermore, polyacrylates, polymaleates, polyvinylpyrrolidone andpentaerythritol/ethyleneoxide adducts are cited as syntheticmucilaginous matters.

[0161] The agricultural chemical composition of the present inventionmay further contain one or more ingredients such as plant growthregulators other than those cited above, fertilizers and preservatives.

[0162] The agricultural chemical composition of the present invention isused in order-to control fungi (or bacteria), insects, mites (oracarids) and herbs or to regulate the growth of plants.

[0163] The agricultural chemical kit according to the present inventioncomprises a container containing the enhancer composition according tothe present invention and another container containing an agriculturalchemical composition. In this case, the enhancer composition maycomprise at least one nitrogen-containing compound (A) selected from thegroup consisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and aquaternary ammonium salt and a chelating agent. The enhancer compositionmay further comprise a surfactant (C) other than the nitrogen-containingcompounds (A) and/or an adjuvant for penetration (D). Alternatively,another agricultural chemical kit according to the present inventioncomprises a container containing at least one nitrogen-containingcompound (A) selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, atertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt and a chelating agent(B), a container containing a surfactant (C) other than thenitrogen-containing compounds (A) and a container containing anagricultural chemical composition. The container containing at least onenitrogen-containing compound (A) and a chelating agent (B) and/or thecontainer containing a surfactant (C) may further contain an adjuvantfor penetration (D). Furthermore, an agricultural chemical kit whichcomprises a container containing at least one nitrogen-containingcompound (A) selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, atertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt and a chelating agent(B), a container containing an adjuvant for penetration (D) and acontainer containing an agricultural chemical composition, and anotheragricultural chemical kit which comprises a container containing atleast one nitrogen-containing compound (A) selected from the groupconsisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and a quaternaryammonium salt and a chelating agent (B), a container containing asurfactant (C) other than the nitrogen-containing compounds (A), acontainer containing an adjuvant for penetration (D) and a containercontaining an agricultural chemical composition, are included in thescope of the present invention.

[0164] The “agricultural chemical composition” which is a constituent ofthe kit is a composition which comprises an agricultural chemical(s), isfree from the nitrogen-containing compound (A) and is in the form of,for example, an emulsion, a liquid or a wettable powder. Theagricultural chemical composition may contain a small amount of thechelating agent (B).

[0165] In the agricultural chemical kit according to the presentinvention, a composition comprising an agricultural chemical isseparated from the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicalscomprising a nitrogen-containing compound (A) and a chelating agent (B)according to the present invention. Namely, the agricultural chemicalcomposition which is a constituent of the kit differs from theagricultural chemical composition of the present invention whichcomprises the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals accordingto the present invention and an agricultural chemical(s) in admixture.

[0166] Each of contents in these containers is not restricted in theirform but appropriately prepared depending on the use and purpose. Thematerial of the container is not restricted so long as it is not reactwith or affect the content. Examples of the material include plastics,glass, foil, etc.

[0167] The enhancer composition according to the present invention isapplied with an agricultural chemical to a locus which would benefitfrom such treatment, i.e., the application of the enhancer compositionand the agricultural chemical. In general, the enhancer composition andthe agricultural chemical are used with water or a liquid carrier. Asmeans for applying the enhancer composition for agricultural chemicalsaccording to the present invention, (1) one wherein the agriculturalchemical composition of the present invention containing thenitrogen-containing compound (A) and the chelating agent (B) and havinga preparation form is used (if necessary, the agricultural chemicalcomposition is diluted with, for example, tap water), (2) another onewherein the enhancer composition of the present invention is added to anagricultural chemical composition, which has been diluted with water,and (3) another one wherein the enhancer composition of the presentinvention is diluted with water and then an agricultural chemicalcomposition is diluted with the resultant diluted solution of theenhancer composition, are useful. The desired enhancement effect can beachieved by either means.

[0168] The agricultural chemical composition of the present inventionincludes one containing the agricultural chemical in high concentration,the nitrogen-containing compound (A) in high concentration and thechelating agent (B) in high concentration, and another one containingthe agricultural chemical in an appropriate concentration forapplication, the nitrogen-containing compound (A) in an appropriateconcentration for application and the chelating agent (B) in anappropriate concentration for application.

[0169] When the former is used, the agricultural chemical composition isdiluted with water, etc., for example, just before applying. On theother hand, the agricultural chemical compositions used in the abovecases (2) and (3) include those containing the agricultural chemical inhigh concentration and being free from the nitrogen-containing compound(A).

[0170] The contents of the agricultural chemical, thenitrogen-containing compound (A) and the chelating agent (B) in thediluted solution are not limited. The content of the agriculturalchemical in the diluted solution depends on, for example, the kind ofthe agricultural chemical and its use. While the contents of thenitrogen-containing compound (A) and the chelating agent (B) in thediluted solution depends on, for example, the kind of the agriculturalchemical to be mixed.

[0171] The diluted liquid comprising an appropriate amount of anagricultural chemical, an appropriate amount of the nitrogen-containingcompound (A) and an appropriate amount of the chelating agent (B) isapplied to, for example, plants, crops, vegetables, fruits, trees, fruittrees, grasses, weeds or seeds, and, at the same time, to fungi,bacteria, insects, acarids or mites. In other words, the diluted liquidis applied to a farm, a plantation, a fruit garden, an orchard, a flowergarden, a lawn, a wood and a forest.

EXAMPLES

[0172] The present invention will now be described in more detail withreference to the following Examples which should not be considered tolimit the scope of the present invention.

Example 1

[0173] Use was made of the organic tertiary amines and salts thereof andthe quaternary ammonium salts as specified in Tables 1 and 2, and thechelating agents and surfactants as specified in Tables 3, 4-1 and 4-2to thereby give various enhancer compositions for agricultural chemicalsas listed in Tables 3, 4-1 and 4-2. TABLE 1 Compd. no. Organic tertiaryamine or its salt 1

2

3

4

5

[0174] TABLE 2 Compd. no. Organic quaternary ammonium salt 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

[0175] TABLE 3 Formulation Compd. (A) Chelating agent (B) (B)/(A)(A)/(B)/(C) no. no. added by mol Surfactant (C) used by wt. Invention 11 EDTA-4Na 0.50 — 80/20/0 product 2 1 EDTA-4Na 0.38 POE(10) nonylphenylether 70/10/20 3 1 EDTA-4Na 0.38 POE(20) sorbitan monooleate 70/10/20 42 IDA-2Na 0.50 — 80/20/0 5 2 IDA-2Na 0.45 POE(9) nonylphenyl ether75/15/10 6 2 DTPA-5Na 0.08 POE(6) lauryl ether 80/10/10 7 3 NTA-3Na 0.45— 80/20/0 8 3 NTA-3Na 0.26 POE(6) sorbitan monolaurate 70/10/20 9 3NTA-3Na 0.26 POE(25) hardened castor oil 70/10/20 10 4 EGTA-4Na 0.25 —80/20/0 11 4 EGTA-4Na 0.21 POE(10) nonylphenyl ether 70/15/15 12 4EGTA-4Na 0.21 POE(10) octylphenyl ether 70/15/15 13 5 DTPA-5Na 0.44 —80/20/0 14 5 DTPA-5Na 0.35 POE(9) nonylphenyl ether 75/15/10 15 5DTPA-5Na 0.35 POE(6) sorbitan monooleate 75/15/10 16 6 CDTA-4Na 0.56 —80/20/0 17 6 CDTA-4Na 0.25 POE(10) oleate 70/10/20 18 6 CDTA-4Na 0.25POE(10) nonylphenyl ether 70/10/20

[0176] TABLE 4-1 Compd. Formulation (A) Chelating agent (B)/(A)(A)/(B)/(C) no. no. (B) added by mol Surfactant (C) used by wt.Invention 19 7 EDTA-4Na 0.33 — 80/20/0 product 20 7 EDTA-4Na 0.30POE(10) oleate 70/15/15 21 7 glycine 12.10 * POE(10) nonylphenyl ether *** **POE(20) lauryl ether sulfate sodium 60/20/(15/5) 22 8 NTA-3Na 1.00— 80/20/0 23 8 NTA-3Na 0.57 POE(8) oleyl ether 70/10/20 24 8 methionine2.35 * POE(8) oleyl ether * ** **sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate60/20/(15/5) 25 9 ETA-OH 0.38 — 80/20/0 26 9 ETA-OH 0.29 POE(6) sorbitanmonolaurate 70/15/15 27 9 ETA-OH 0.29 POE(10) nonylphenyl ether 70/15/1528 10 methionine 0.87 — 80/20/0 29 10 methionine 0.54 POE(9) nonylphenylether 70/10/20 30 10 ETA-OH 0.22 POE(20) sorbitan monooleate 70/10/20 3111 cysteine 1.70 — 80/20/0 32 11 cysteine 0.88 POE(6) lauryl ether70/10/20 33 11 cysteine 2.13 * POE(6) lauryl ether * ** **POE(20) laurylether sulfate sodium 60/20/(15/5)

[0177] TABLE 4-2 Formulation Compd. (A) Chelating agent (B) (B)/(A)(A)/(B)/(C) no. no. added by mol Surfactant (C) used by wt. Invention 3412 malic acid 0.82 — 80/20/0 product 35 12 citric acid 1.72 * POE(6)sorbitan monooleate * ** **POE(10) lauryl ether 60/12/(2/26) sulfatesodium 36 12 EDTA-4Na 1.06 POE(20) sorbitan 60/30/10 monooleate 37 13sodium gluconate 1.67 — 75/25/0 38 13 sodium heptonate 1.33 POE(15) palmoil fatty 60/14/26 acid glyceride 39 13 oxalic acid 7.41 — 75/25/0 40 13EDTA-4Na 0.88 POE(15) palm oil fatty 50/10/40 acid 41 13 EDTA-4Na 0.88 *POE(15) palm oil fatty * ** acid glyceride 50/10/(10/30) **POE(10)lauryl ether acetate sodium 42 13 EDTA-4Na 0.88 POE(10) lauryl ether50/10/40 acetate sodium Comp. 43 6 — — — 100/0/0 product 44 — EDTA-4Na —— 0/100/0

[0178] Chemical formulae of the chelating agents (B) listed in Tables 3,4-1 and 4-2 are as follows:

[0179] The above-mentioned enhancer compositions listed in Tables 3, 4-1and 4-2 were each dissolved in deionized water to give a 0.05% by weight[as sum total of compound (A), chelating agent (B) and surfactant (C))dilution. With the use of the 0.05% by weight dilution thus obtained,commercially available herbicides, i.e., Karmex wettable powder(containing 78.5% by weight of DCMU as the active ingredient), Herbiaceliquid formulation (containing 20% by weight of Bialaphos as the active.ingredient) and Roundup liquid formulation (containing 41% by weight ofisopropylamine salt of Glyphosate as the active ingredient) were eachdiluted 500-fold. Thus three agricultural chemical compositions wereobtained for each enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals.

[0180] Fertile soil obtained from a paddy field, gravels (i.e., riversand) and a culture soil available on the market were mixed one anotherat the weight ratio of 7:2:1. Pots having an inside diameter of 12 cmwere filled with the soil thus obtained. In order to conduct aglasshouse-test, the seeds of crabgrass were sowed in the pots andgerminated. The pots wherein the growth of the crabglass was abnormalwere abandoned to reduce the irregularity among pots. The pots whereincrabgrasses had been grown at a height of about 18 cm were used in thetest. Spray gun (mf. by Iwata Tosoki Kogyo K.K., type RG) was used forthe application of the agricultural chemical compositions to thecrabgrasses. The crabgrasses in the pots were uniformly sprayed witheach of the agricultural chemical compositions at a ratio correspondingto 1000 1/ha (liter per hectare) to evaluate the herbicidal efficacy.

[0181] On the tenth day after the application, the above-ground part ofthe fresh plant was weighed and the result was expressed in a herbicidalratio on the basis of the fresh weight of the above-ground part in theuntreated lot (see the following formula). $\begin{matrix}{Herbicidal} \\{{ratio}\quad (\%)}\end{matrix} = {\frac{\begin{matrix}{{above}\text{-}{ground}} \\{{fresh}\quad {weight}} \\{(g)\quad {of}\quad {an}} \\{{untreated}\quad {lot}}\end{matrix} - \begin{matrix}{{above}\text{-}{ground}} \\{{fresh}\quad {weight}} \\{(g)\quad {of}\quad a} \\{{test}\quad {lot}}\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}{{above}\text{-}{ground}\quad {fresh}\quad {weight}} \\{(g)\quad {of}\quad {an}\quad {untreated}\quad {lot}}\end{matrix}} \times 100}$

[0182] Tables 5, 6-1 and 6-2 show the herbicidal ratios of theagricultural chemical compositions. TABLE 5 Herbicidal ratio (%) KarmexHerbiace Roundup Formulation wettable liquid liquid no. powderformulation formulation Invention 1 72.1 81.4 85.3 product 2 75.6 82.589.4 3 75.6 80.3 88.4 4 80.1 83.9 86.5 5 83.3 85.8 90.2 6 82.4 89.1 86.37 73.1 87.2 82.4 8 77.5 85.6 85.6 9 72.5 88.9 83.4 10 78.5 85.8 81.5 1175.4 87.2 84.2 12 78.5 85.8 85.5 13 80.3 90.1 92.1 14 78.5 89.8 91.5 1579.1 88.3 93.6 16 74.5 92.4 87.2 17 77.8 90.5 90.3 18 79.1 91.3 89.4

[0183] TABLE 6-1 Herbicidal ratio (%) Karmex Herbiace RoundupFormulation wettable liquid liquid no. powder formulation formulationInvention 19 71.5 78.5 79.6 product 20 73.0 76.7 80.0 21 75.8 80.8 76.722 76.9 85.3 91.0 23 78.1 82.4 87.3 24 77.9 85.3 84.9 25 75.4 81.5 90.326 79.3 83.5 93.5 27 79.2 88.7 92.5 28 73.8 88.8 78.9 29 77.6 87.1 83.530 77.6 85.9 82.8 31 79.8 84.2 80.5 32 80.5 88.2 82.4 33 83.0 86.5 79.8

[0184] TABLE 6-2 Herbicidal ratio (%) Karmex Herbiace RoundupFormulation wettable liquid liquid no. powder formulation formulationInvention 34 79.6 87.5 91.4 product 35 76.3 86.5 90.6 36 80.2 89.2 93.837 81.2 84.6 90.6 38 75.4 83.2 93.0 39 80.3 88.5 95.4 40 70.8 79.6 82.441 78.2 84.0 90.4 42 70.2 77.2 80.2 Comp. 43 53.2 59.4 65.8 product 4439.8 51.0 54.7 Added none 39.8 50.6 52.3

Example 2

[0185] Female imagines of Tetranychus kanzawai kishida were planted ontokidney bean leaf disks at a ratio of 30 imagines per lot on three runsand then incubated at 25° C. for 24 hours. Subsequently, the whole leafdisks were dipped in a test solution for 5 seconds. After taking out ofthe test solution and allowing to stand at 25° C. for 48 hours, the leafdisks were observed and the miticidal ratios thereof were determined onthe basis of the result in the untreated lot (refer to the followingequation).${{Miticidal}\quad {ratio}\quad (\%)} = {\frac{\quad {\begin{matrix}{{the}\quad {number}\quad {of}} \\{{living}\quad {mites}\quad {of}} \\{{an}\quad {untreated}\quad {lot}}\end{matrix}\quad - \begin{matrix}{{the}\quad {number}\quad {of}} \\{{{living}\quad {mites}}\quad} \\{{of}\quad a\quad {test}{\quad \quad}{lot}}\end{matrix}}}{{the}\quad {number}\quad {of}\quad {living}\quad {mites}\quad {of}\quad {an}\quad {untreated}\quad {lot}} \times 100}$

[0186] As miticides, Nissorun V emulsion (containing 55% by weight ofactive ingredients including 50% by weight of hexythiazox and 5% byweight of DDVP) and Osadan wettable powder 25 (containing 25% by weightof phenbutatin oxide as the active ingredient) were each diluted3,000-fold with the use of deionized water, and the dilutions thusobtained were used. The same enhancer compositions for agriculturalchemicals as those employed in Example 1 were used. The concentration ofeach enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals [i.e., sum total ofcompound (A), chelating agent (B) and surfactant (C)] in the dilutionwas adjusted to 0.05% by weight. Further, the above procedure wasrepeated without using any enhancer compositions. Tables 7, 8-1 and 8-2show the results. TABLE 7 Miticidal ratio (%) Osadan FormulationNissolan V wettable no. emulsion powder 25 Invention 1 78.9 82.2 product2 83.3 85.6 3 82.2 85.6 4 80.0 88.9 5 82.2 87.8 6 80.0 85.6 7 85.6 83.38 83.3 82.2 9 87.8 84.4 10 80.0 80.0 11 78.9 80.0 12 80.0 78.9 13 83.383.3 14 85.6 82.2 15 84.4 83.3 16 78.9 75.6 17 78.9 78.9 18 77.8 75.6

[0187] TABLE 8-1 Miticidal ratio (%) Osadan Formulation Nissolan Vwettable no. emulsion powder 25 Invention 19 84.4 87.8 product 20 85.688.9 21 84.4 88.9 22 83.3 80.0 23 85.6 82.2 24 82.2 85.6 25 78.9 82.2 2682.2 83.3 27 80.0 80.0 28 86.7 82.2 29 87.8 80.0 30 83.3 83.3 31 77.876.7 32 80.0 78.9 33 80.0 78.9

[0188] TABLE 8-2 Miticidal ratio (%) Osadan Formulation Nissolan Vwettable no. emulsion powder 25 Invention 34 80.0 80.0 product 35 82.280.0 36 86.7 83.3 37 82.2 80.0 38 82.2 82.2 39 87.8 86.7 40 70.6 76.2 4179.2 80.6 42 72.4 72.4 Comp. 43 55.6 60.0 product 44 42.2 44.4 Addednone 38.9 40.0

Example 3

[0189] Rice planthopper larvae of the third instar were incubated andused in an efficacy test on insecticides in triplicate runs by thedipping method (each lot having 10 larvae). The insecticidal ratio wasdetermined in the same manner as the one employed for the determinationof the miticidal ratio. Commercially available insecticides, i.e.,Sumithion emulsion (containing 50% by weight of MEP as the activeingredient) and Malathon emulsion (containing 50% by weight of malathonas the active ingredient) were each diluted 3,000-fold with the use ofdeionized water, and the dilutions thus obtained were used. As theenhancer compositions for agricultural chemicals, those employed inExample 1 were used in such a manner as to adjust the concentration ofeach enhancer composition [i.e., sum total of compound (A), chelatingagent (B) and surfactant (C)] in the diluted solution to 0.1% by weight.Tables 9, 10-1 and 10-2 show the results. TABLE 9 Insecticidal ratio (%)Formulation Sumithion Malathon no. emulsion emulsion Invention 1 76.783.3 product 2 80.0 86.7 3 76.7 83.3 4 80.0 86.7 5 83.3 86.7 6 83.3 90.07 80.0 83.3 8 80.0 83.3 9 80.0 86.7 10 76.7 86.7 11 83.3 83.3 12 83.386.7 13 80.0 80.0 14 80.0 83.3 15 83.3 83.3 16 76.7 83.3 17 76.7 80.0 1873.3 90.0

[0190] TABLE 10-1 Insecticidal ratio (%) Formulation Sumithion Malathonno. emulsion emulsion Invention 19 86.7 86.7 product 20 90.0 90.0 2190.0 90.0 22 80.0 90.0 23 76.7 86.7 24 83.3 86.7 25 90.0 86.7 26 83.390.0 27 83.3 90.0 28 76.7 83.3 29 80.0 83.3 30 83.3 83.3 31 83.3 80.0 3280.0 83.3 33 83.3 80.0

[0191] TABLE 10-2 Insecticidal ratio (%) Formulation Sumithion Malathonno. emulsion emulsion Invention 34 76.7 76.7 product 35 80.0 76.7 3683.3 80.0 37 80.0 83.3 38 83.3 83.3 39 90.0 86.7 40 72.0 75.2 41 79.680.0 42 73.2 73.5 Comp. 43 56.7 63.3 product 44 46.7 50.0 Added none40.0 43.3

Example 4

[0192] Conidia of Sphaerotheca fuliginiea acquiring the resistanceagainst fungicides were inoculated into young cucumber seedlings at thetrifoliate stage at a ratio of 108 per pot, which were then allowed tostand at 25° C. under a relative humidity of 90% for 2 days in the dark.

[0193] Then, a marketed fungicide, i.e., Bayleton wettable powder 5(containing 5% by weight of triadimefon as the active ingredient) wasdiluted 3,000-fold with the 2,500-fold dilution (diluent: deionizedwater) of each of the enhancer compositions employed in Example 1. Thedilution thus obtained was applied onto the seedlings at a ratio of 5 mlper pot. After allowing the pots to stand at 25° C. under a relativehumidity of 85%, lesions were counted and the preventive value wascalculated in accordance with the following equation. Tables 11-12-1 and12-2 show the results.${{Preventive}\quad {value}} = {\left\lbrack {1 - \frac{{{no}.\quad {of}}\quad {lesions}\quad {of}\quad a\quad {test}\quad {lot}}{{{no}.\quad {of}}\quad {lesions}\quad {of}\quad {an}\quad {untreated}\quad {lot}}} \right\rbrack \times 100}$

TABLE 11 Preventive value Formulation Bayleton wettable no. powder 5Invention 1 89.5 product 2 92.2 3 93.3 4 92.1 5 95.2 6 94.8 7 85.8 890.4 9 93.5 10 94.0 11 93.0 12 95.4 13 85.3 14 88.9 15 85.3 16 90.5 1792.4 18 93.8

[0194] TABLE 12-1 Preventive value Formulation Bayleton wettable no.powder 5 Invention 19 95.2 product 20 100.0 21 100.0 22 91.4 23 87.3 2489.4 25 91.8 26 95.4 27 100.0 28 88.2 29 93.5 30 95.1 31 90.3 32 95.4 33100.0

[0195] TABLE 12-2 Preventive value Formulation Bayleton wettable no.powder 5 Invention 34 92.6 product 35 95.4 36 100.0 37 82.5 38 83.2 3990.6 40 80.5 41 85.6 42 78.2 Comp. 43 69.8 product 44 57.6 Added none54.7

[0196] The above Examples 1 to 4 show tests whereby the efficacies ofthe enhancer compositions for agricultural chemicals of the presentinvention were compared with those of common cationic surfactantsemployed as enhancers for agricultural chemicals or chelating agents.

[0197] As Tables 5 to 12-2 clearly show, since the chelating agentfurther enhanced the effect of at least one nitrogen-containing compoundselected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary aminesalt and a quaternary ammonium salt in enhancing the efficacy of theagricultural chemicals in the enhancer compositions for agriculturalchemicals of the present invention, the enhancer compositions foragricultural chemicals of the present invention exhibited remarkableeffects of enhancing the efficacy of the agricultural chemicals.

[0198] When a chelating agent was used alone, the efficacy of anagricultural chemical could be somewhat enhanced thereby but the effectcould not attain any practically usable level.

[0199] Accordingly, it has been found that in the enhancer compositionsfor agricultural chemicals of the present invention, the chelating agentspecifically enhances the effect of at least one nitrogen-containingcompound selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, atertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt of enhancing theefficacy of the agricultural chemicals.

Example 5

[0200] The same test as the one effected in Example 1 was carried out byusing Roundup liquid formulation (containing 41% by weight of activeingredient) as a herbicide, and the formulation Nos. 13, 27 and 32 ofExample 1 as enhancer compositions each in the amount as specified inTable 13. Table 13 shows the results. In Table 13, the term “herbicideconcn.” means the concentration of the marketed herbicide formulation ina dilution to be applied, the term “enhancer compn. concn.” means theconcentration of the enhancer composition [i.e., sum total of compound(A), chelating agent (B) and surfactant (C)] in a dilution to beapplied, and the term, “agricultural chemical” means the activeingredient(s) of the marketed herbicide formulation. TABLE 13Agricultural Enhancer chemical/ Herbicide compn. enhancer HerbicidalFormulation concn. concn. compn. ratio Test no. no. (ppm) (ppm) (by wt.)(%) 1 Formulation 1000 50  1/0.12 80.5 2 no. 13 1000 100  1/0.24 87.4 31000 500 1/1.2 94.0 4 1000 1000 1/2.4 95.8 5 1000 5000 1/12  94.2 6 100010000 1/24  89.2 7 Formulation 1000 50  1/0.12 82.3 8 no. 27 1000 100 1/0.24 90.4 9 1000 500 1/1.2 93.5 10 1000 1000 1/2.4 96.2 11 1000 50001/12  96.0 12 1000 10000 1/24  90.5 13 Formulation 1000 50  1/0.12 78.414 no. 32 1000 100  1/0.24 80.8 15 1000 500 1/1.2 84.5 16 1000 10001/2.4 88.9 17 1000 5000 1/12  87.8 18 1000 10000 1/24  88.0 19 — 1000 0— 55.2

Example 6

[0201] The enhancer compositions for agricultural chemicals listed inTable 14 were prepared by adding an adjuvant for penetration to each ofthe enhancer compositions listed in Tables 4-1 and 4-2.

[0202] The above-mentioned enhancer compositions for agriculturalchemicals listed in Table 14 were each dissolved in deionized water togive a 0.05% by weight [as sum total of compound (A), chelating agent(B) and surfactant (C)] dilution. With the use of the 0.05% by weightdilution thus obtained, commercially available herbicides, i.e., Karmexwettable powder (containing 78.5% by weight of DCMU as the activeingredient), Herbiace liquid formulation (containing 20% by weight ofBialaphos as the active ingredient) and Roundup liquid formulation(containing 41% by weight of isopropylamine salt of Glyphosate as theactive ingredient) were each diluted 700-fold. Thus three agriculturalchemical compositions were obtained for each enhancer composition foragricultural chemicals.

[0203] The same test as the one effected in Example 1 was carried out byusing the agricultural chemical compositions thus obtained, and theirherbicidal ratios were determined. Table 15 show the results. TABLE 14Base Formulation formulation Adjuvant for penetration (D) (A + B +C)/(D) (A)/(B) no. no. added by wt. by wt. Invention 45 22 diethyleneglycol monobutyl 1/0.5 1/0.63 product ether 46 34 POE(3) phenol 1/0.81/1 47 37 2-ethylhexyl oleate 1/0.7 1/0.93 48 41 diethylene glycolmonobutyl 1/1 1/2 ether Comp. 49 43 polyethylene glycol 1/1 1/1 product(degree of polymerization: 400) 50 44 diethylene glycol monobutyl 1/1 0ether

[0204] TABLE 15 Herbicidal ratio (%) Karmex Herbiace Roundup Formulationwettable liquid liquid no. powder formulation formulation Invention 4569.4 74.2 80.4 product 46 68.8 74.0 78.6 47 70.6 76.5 82.1 48 73.2 82.186.3 Comp. 49 45.3 49.8 56.2 product 50 32.4 40.2 43.6 Added none 31.638.4 40.6

[0205] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method for controlling fungi, bacteria, insects, mites and acarids,said method comprising applying an effective amount of an agriculturalchemical composition thereto, said agricultural chemical compositioncomprising: (a) an agricultural chemical; (b) at least onenitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: (i)amines represented by formula (1):

 wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms, each a represents an alkylene group, n andm each represents a number wherein the sum of n and m is 1 to 40, R² andR³ are the same or different from each other and each represents ahydrogen atom or an acyl group; (ii) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (13):

 wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula

 a group represented by the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H, wherein nrepresents an average value and is a number of 1 to 100, or a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein n is a number of 1 to 5, R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, or a group represented by the formula—CH₂CH₂OH, and X⁻ represents a counter ion; (iii) quaternary ammoniumsalts represented formula (8):

 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁹ representsa hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group, j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5, r and s each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other, and each represents a number of 0 to 30, andX⁻ represents a counter ion; (iv) amines represented by formula (3):

 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substitutedby a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴, wherein R⁴ representsa linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p

 represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, or a grouprepresented by the formula  wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or amethyl group, G² represents —OCO— or —NHCO—, i represents a positivenumber of 2 to 6, k represents a positive number of 1 to 5, and qrepresents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, and R³represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, s represents a positive number of 2 to 6, t represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and h represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and r represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30; and (v) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (9):

 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(1′) represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R^(2 ′) represents a linear or branchedalkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n′)—H_(2n′)-(G^(1′))-R^(4′), whereinR^(4′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ is—OCO— or —NHCO—, and n′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(6′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G² is —OCO— or—NHCO—, i′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, k′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and q′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30,R^(3′) represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(3′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, t′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and h′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, ora group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and r′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, and X⁻ is a counter ion; and (c) a chelating agent selectedfrom the group consisting of amino polycarboxylic acid chelating agentsor salt thereof, aromatic carboxylic acid chelating agents or saltthereof, a salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, aminoacid chelating agents or salt thereof, ether polycarboxylic acidchelating agents or salt thereof, phosphonic acid chelating agents orsalt thereof, a salt of hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents,polymer or oligomer electrolyte chelating agents, dimethylglyoxime (DG),ascorbic acid or a salt thereof, and thioglycollic acid or a saltthereof; and wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound and the weightratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing compound and the chelatingagent to the agricultural chemical ranges from 0.05 to
 50. 2. A methodfor regulating plant growth, said method comprising applying an effectamount of an agricultural chemical composition to a locus which wouldbenefit from said treatment, said agricultural chemical compositioncomprising: (a) an agricultural chemical; (b) at least onenitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: (i)amines represented by formula (1):

 wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms, each A represents an alkylene group, n andm each represents a number wherein the sum of n and m is 1 to 40, R² andR³ are the same or different from each other and each represents ahydrogen atom or an acyl group; (ii) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (13):

 wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula

 a group represented by the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H, wherein nrepresents an average value and is a number of 1 to 100, or a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein n is a number of 1 to 5, R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, or a group represented by the formula—CH₂CH₂OH, and X⁻ represents a counter ion; (iii) quaternary ammoniumsalts represented formula (8):

 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁹ representsa hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group, j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5, r and s each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other, and each represents a number of 0 to 30, andX⁻ represents a counter ion; (iv) amines represented by formula (3):

 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substitutedby a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴, wherein R⁴ representsa linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p represents an average value and is a number of 0to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G² represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, i represents a positive number of 2 to 6, k represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and q represents an average value and is anumber of 0 to 30, and R³ represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, s represents a positive number of 2 to 6, t represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and h represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and r represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30; and (v) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (9):

 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(1′) represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R^(2′) represents a linear or branchedalkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n′)—H_(2n′)-(G^(1′))-R^(4′), whereinR^(4′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ is—OCO— or —NHC—, and n′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(6′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(2′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, i′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, k′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and q′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30,R^(3′) represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ is —OCO— or—NHCO—, s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, t′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and h′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, ora group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and r′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, and X⁻ is a counter ion; and (c) a chelating agent selectedfrom the group consisting of amino polycarboxylic acid chelating agentsor salt thereof, aromatic carboxylic acid chelating agents or saltthereof, a salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, aminoacid chelating agents or salt thereof, ether polycarboxylic acidchelating agents or salt thereof, phosphonic acid chelating agents orsalt thereof, a salt of hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents,polymer or oligomer electrolyte chelating agents, dimethylglyoxime (DG),ascorbic acid or a salt thereof, and thioglycollic acid or a saltthereof; and wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound and the weightratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing compound and the chelatingagent to the agricultural chemical ranges from 0.05 to
 50. 3. A methodfor enhancing the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical, whereinsaid method comprises applying an agricultural chemical composition withsaid agricultural chemical to a locus that would benefit from suchtreatment, said agricultural chemical composition comprising: (a) theagricultural chemical; (b) at least one nitrogen-containing compoundselected from the group consisting of: (i) amines represented by formula(1):

 wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms, each A represents an alkylene group, n andm each represents a number wherein the sum of n and m is 1 to 40, R² andR³ are the same or different from each other and each represents ahydrogen atom or an acyl group; (ii) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (13):

 wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula

 a group represented by the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H, wherein nrepresents an average value and is a number of 1 to 100, or a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein n is a number of 1 to 5, R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, or a group represented by the formula—CH₂CH₂OH, and X⁻ represents a counter ion; (iii) quaternary ammoniumsalts represented formula (8):

 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁹ representsa hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group, j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5, r and s each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other, and each represents a number of 0 to 30, andX⁻ represents a counter ion; (iv) amines represented by formula (3):

 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substitutedby a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴ wherein R⁴ represents alinear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p represents an average value and is a number of 0to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G2 represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, i represents a positive number of 2 to 6, k represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and q represents an average value and is anumber of 0 to 30, and R³ represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, s represents a positive number of 2 to 6, t represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and h represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and r represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30; and (v) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (9):

 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(1′) represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R^(2′) represents a linear or branchedalkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n′)—H_(2n′)-(G^(1′))-R^(4′), whereinR^(4′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G^(1′) is—OCO— or —NHCO—, and n′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(6′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(2′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, i′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, k′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and q′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30,R^(3′) represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(3′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, t′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and h′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, ora group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and r′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, and X⁻ is a counter ion; and (c) a chelating agent selectedfrom the group consisting of amino polycarboxylic acid chelating agentsor salt thereof, aromatic carboxylic acid chelating agents or saltthereof, a salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, aminoacid chelating agents or salt thereof, ether polycarboxylic acidchelating agents or salt thereof, phosphonic acid chelating agents orsalt thereof, a salt of hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents,polymer or oligomer electrolyte chelating agents, dimethylglyoxime (DG),ascorbic acid or a salt thereof, and thioglycollic acid or a saltthereof; and wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound and the weightratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing compound and the chelatingagent to the agricultural chemical ranges from 0.05 to
 50. 4. A methodfor enhancing the penetration of an agricultural chemical into a fungi,bacteria, insect, mite, acarid or plant, said method comprising applyingan effective amount of an agricultural chemical composition to a locuswhich would benefit from said treatment, said agricultural chemicalcomposition comprising: (a) an agricultural chemical; (b) at least onenitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: (i)amines represented by formula (1):

 wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms, each A represents an alkylene group, n andm each represents a number wherein the sum of n and m is 1 to 40, R² andR³ are the same or different from each other and each represents ahydrogen atom or an acyl group; (ii) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (13):

 wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula

 a group represented by the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H, wherein nrepresents an average value and is a number of 1 to 100, or a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein n is a number of 1 to 5, R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, or a group represented by the formula—CH₂CH₂OH, and X⁻ represents a counter ion; (iii) quaternary ammoniumsalts represented formula (8):

 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁹ representsa hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group, j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5, r and s each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other, and each represents a number of 0 to 30, andX⁻ represents a counter ion; (iv) amines represented by formula (3):

 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substitutedby a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴, wherein R⁴ representsa linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p represents an average value and is a number of 0to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G2 represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, i represents a positive number of 2 to 6, k represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and q represents an average value and is anumber of 0 to 30, and R³ represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, s represents a positive number of 2 to 6, t represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and h represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and r represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30; and (v) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (9):

 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(1′) represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R^(2′) represents a linear or branchedalkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n′)—H_(2n′)-(G^(1′))-R^(4′), whereinR^(4′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G^(1′) is—OCO— or —NHCO—, and n′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m′ is a positive numberof 1 to 5, and p′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to30, or a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(2′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, i′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, k′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and q′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30,R^(3′) represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(3′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, t′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and h′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, ora group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and r′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, and X⁻ is a counter ion; (c) a chelating agent selected fromthe group consisting of amino polycarboxylic acid chelating agents orsalt thereof, aromatic carboxylic acid chelating agents or salt thereof,a salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid chelating agents, amino acidchelating agents or salt thereof, ether polycarboxylic acid chelatingagents or salt thereof, phosphonic acid chelating agents or saltthereof, a salt of hydroxy carboxylic acid chelating agents, polymer oroligomer electrolyte chelating agents, dimethylglyoxime (DG), ascorbicacid or a salt thereof, and thioglycollic acid or a salt thereof; and(d) an adjuvant; wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from0.01 to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound and theweight ratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing compound and thechelating agent to the agricultural chemical ranges from 0.05 to
 50. 5.The method of claim 3, wherein said agricultural chemical is aherbicide.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said nitrogen-containingcompound is the amine of formula (1).
 7. The method of claim 3, whereinsaid nitrogen-containing compound is the quaternary ammonium salt offormula (13).
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said nitrogen-containingcompound is

 wherein n+m=15.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein said counter ion is ahalide, acetate, methyl sulfate, ethylsulfate, a phosphate group, aphosphonate group, a sulfonate group having a hydrocarbon moiety with atleast 7 carbon atoms, a sulfate group having a hydrocarbon moiety withat least 7 carbon atoms, an anionic oligomer or copolymer having adegree of polymerization of at least 3 and having an anionic residue, oran anionic oligomer or polymer having an average molecular weight of 300to 20,000 and having an acidic anionic residue.
 10. The method of claim3, wherein said agricultural chemical composition further comprises asurfactant other than said nitrogen-containing compound.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the weight ratio of the nitrogen-containingcompound to the surfactant other than said nitrogen-containing compoundis from 1/10 to 50/1.
 12. The method of claim 3, wherein saidagricultural chemical composition further comprises adjuvant forpenetration of said agricultural chemical.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the weight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound to theadjuvant is from 1/5 to 5/1.
 14. A method for enhancing theeffectiveness of an agricultural chemical, wherein said methodcomprises: adding a nitrogen-containing compound with a chelating agentto said agricultural chemical to form an agricultural chemicalcomposition, wherein said agricultural chemical composition comprises:(a) the agricultural chemical; (b) the nitrogen-containing compound,said nitrogen-containing compound is selected from the group consistingof: (i) amines represented by formula (1):

 wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms, each A represents an alkylene group, n andm each represents a number wherein the sum of n and m is 1 to 40, R² andR³ are the same or different from each other and each represents ahydrogen atom or an acyl group; (ii) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (13):

 wherein at least one of R₁, R₂, and R₃ represents a linear or branchedalkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms while the other(s)each represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula

 a group represented by the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H, wherein nrepresents an average value and is a number of 1 to 100, or a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein n is a number of 1 to 5, R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl group, an ethyl group, or a group represented by the formula—CH₂CH₂OH, and X⁻ represents a counter ion; (iii) quaternary ammoniumsalts represented formula (8):

 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁹ representsa hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are either the same or different from each other andeach represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, each R¹²represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each R¹³ represents ahydrogen atom or a methyl group, j and k are either the same ordifferent from each other and each represents a positive number of 1 to5, r and s each represents an average value, are either the same ordifferent from each other, and each represents a number of 0 to 30, andX⁻ represents a counter ion; (iv) amines represented by formula (3):

 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, R² represents a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substitutedby a hydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n)H_(2n)-(G¹)-R⁴, wherein R⁴ representsa linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 36 carbon atomsoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G¹ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, and n represents a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R⁵ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,each R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p represents an average value and is a number of 0to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R⁷ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G² represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, i represents a positive number of 2 to 6, k represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and q represents an average value and is anumber of 0 to 30, and R³ represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R⁹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ represents —OCO— or—NHCO—, s represents a positive number of 2 to 6, t represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and h represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula

 wherein R¹¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j represents apositive number of 1 to 5, and r represents an average value and is apositive number of 0 to 30; and (v) quaternary ammonium saltsrepresented by formula (9):

 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a benzyl group or an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(1′) represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, R^(2′) represents a linear or branchedalkyl group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 2 to 36carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a grouprepresented by the formula: —C_(n′)—H_(2n′)-(G^(1′))-R^(4′), whereinR^(4′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, G^(1′) is—OCO— or —NHCO—, and n′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, a grouprepresented by the formula

 wherein R^(5′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(6′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and p′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, or a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(7′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(8′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G^(2′) is —OCO— or—NHCO—, i′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, k′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and q′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30,R^(3′) represents a group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(9′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 4 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(10′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, G³ is —OCO— or—NHCO—, s′ is a positive number of 2 to 6, t′ is a positive number of 1to 5, and h′ represents an average value and is a number of 0 to 30, ora group represented by the formula:

 wherein R^(11′) represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl grouphaving 6 to 36 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group,R^(12′) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, j′ is a positivenumber of 1 to 5, and r′ represents an average value and is a number of0 to 30, and X⁻ is a counter ion; and (c) the chelating agent, saidchelating agent is selected from the group consisting of aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agents or salt thereof, aromaticcarboxylic acid chelating agents or salt thereof, a salt of aliphaticcarboxylic acid chelating agents, amino acid chelating agents or saltthereof, ether polycarboxylic acid chelating agents or salt thereof,phosphonic acid chelating agents or salt thereof, a salt of hydroxycarboxylic acid chelating agents, polymer or oligomer electrolytechelating agents, dimethylglyoxime (DG), ascorbic acid or a saltthereof, and thioglycollic acid or a salt thereof; and wherein thecontent of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01 to 30 mol per mol of thenitrogen-containing compound and the weight ratio of the total of thenitrogen-containing compound and the chelating agent to the agriculturalchemical ranges from 0.05 to 50.